Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-07-12
PATTERsON,S BIG PENSION.


PATTERSON'S BIG PENSION.
Curious Story Of the Parties Who Got
Over $4,000 from the u. 5. Treasury.
| ALLEGED BRIBERY AND PERJURY TO pkFRAup THE
| GovERNNKNT-How THE ACCUSED PARTIES WERE
TRACED AND CAPTURED AND PART OF THE MONEY
RECOVERED.
On september "a, 1852, Francis Patterson en-
listed as private in Co. G, 154th N. Y. Volunteers
After serving for about eighteen months he left
his regiment and dr1fted to Elmira, NY. He was
reported as deserter. On June the 10th, 1866
ne nled claim for pension, alleging that he had
| incurred disease OF the eyes at Stafford Court
House, Virginia, in August, 1863, which resulted
/, In total blindness. The claim had been pending
| for long time in the Bureau OF Pensions, and
was finally ordered for special examination, and
on the resulting report was rejected 1t was allowed
| to slumber several years, when it was reopened
upon the claimants filing additional testimony,
| specially examined again, and the former action
OF the 0flice in rejecting the claim adhered TO.
About nine months ago the claim was again re-
opened upon the aidavits of reputable citizens Of
the war Department, new testimony was filed, and
the claim finaly allowed, and was paid during the
nrSt half OF the past month Junel.
After Patterson obtained the pension money
(about $4,000 from the Syracuse agency he went
To- To- LOCK Haven, and from there to Williamsport,
Pa, 1t Is said, TO escape the proceedings instituted
| TO declare him a lunatic.
DIR. MILLS STEPS IN.
A DR.. Mills, native Of Virginia, about the be-
| ginning OF the civil war married northern lady,
teaching school In Virginia, and in 1864 removed
at an early date, manifested an interest in the
claim, and finally obtained a power OF
attorney to transact Pattersons business and
induced him to part with large amount Of the
money, which the doctor is alleged to have appro-
| prlated to his own use, and which the Bureau Of
| Pensions has been industriousIy unearthing dur.
Ing the past few days. Patterson also disposed OF
| several thousand more OF the money, as will be
| seen hereinafter. After obtaining possession OF
TO Wayerly, Pa, and cautioned him not to return
TO the State OF New York. Mills himself left lmme-
diately for the South.
PURSUIT AND ARREST OF THE ACCUSED MEN.
! On Friday, the 18th ultimo during the absence
OF the Commissioner OF Pensions one of the depu-
| ties received papers indicating that the pension
| had been paid, and that a fraud had been perpe-
trated upon the penSOner, and probably upon the
the Government. steps were Immediately taken
for the arrest OF the guilty parteS the recovery OF
| the money obtained by fraudulent means, and for
the determination OF the status OF the claim. On
the following day Saturday, at the return OF Gen.
sence. he learned OF the fraud, took instant
and vigorous measures TO push the investigation
and to make swift work OF the prosecution
| and punishment of the guilty. AT the
outset OF the investigation 1t ascertaiped that
|
TO his retreat IN the Blue Ridge 10y special eX-
aniner of the Pension Bureau, who with the aid OF
| local officer arrested Mills at the house of his
sister, at StanardSvlle. 1t was learned that soon
after Dr. Mills arrival there, he was Joined by his
| wife and subsequently by John Laidlaw, OF Emira,
anofher OF the alleged conspiratOrs. who was also
| arrested.
| SCATTERING THE MONEY.
So soon as Mills arrived at Standardsvilie he
began to scatter the tllgotten money recklessly.
| He paid out 5000 for lot, which he put in his
sisters name; 500 for COW: 500 for saddle; S.
1t Is said, to an old auntie he met in the street,
and whom he had known in former years; dis
charged an alleged debt OF $50 OF hts father by
paying over $40; about $500 was sent to relatives
| Elmira to fee lwyer, &C. He gave his Virginia
friends to understand that he had very lucrative
practice as physician, In Elmira.
AMOUNTS RECOVERED.
A search OF the house OF Mills sister, at stan
| ardsvtlle where he had been stopping, uncovered
81 O90 in gold, which was secured. Mills and Laid
law, when brought to Washington were accom-
panied by Mrs. Mills. She was searched and there
was found upon her person $685. in paper currency,
which she and he admitted was part OF the Pat
terson pension money. Al this time 1t was learned
that s., ,O5O OF the money was put into mortgage
Chemung County, n Y, and s., 800 deposited with
| bank at Lock Haven, Pa, and proper steps were
| at once taken by the commissioner for the recov-
cry OF the money, &c. Mills and Laidlaw were
subsequently removed to Elmira, put under $500
bonds; re-arreSted by the Bureau OF Pensions,
SenL TO BlngnamptOn, ana There neld, each or
them, In s., 600 bail to await the action OF the
grand jury. The former succeeded in securing
bail. One Porter the captain Of PattersonS coul-
pany, and an important af11ant in the claim, was
also put under 5000 bail.
PATTERSON CAPTURED.
After Mills arrest Patterson spirited away
| from Waverly and it was ascertained that he had
gone to meet Mills at Stanardsville Va not know
| ing OF the latters arrest The Commissioner OF
Pensions ascertaining that Patterson had left
StanardSville on the 27th ulttmO, had him appre-
hended on the following day at GOrdonsvlle, Va,
where Patterson was found In company with his
Wife and the seventeenye son OF the doctor.
They were brought to Washington, where Mrs.
Patterson was searched, and on her person was
found certificate OF deposit for the s2,300 left at
route to Washington showed much Jealousy OF
his wife, and insisted that she retire with him to
the smoking car, away from the w1les OF a SuS-
pected admirer. They, with young Mills, LETT for
last, week ago. Since then Patterson has been
held in 5000 bail at B1nghamton. A hearing
was had in all the cases on July before U. S. COM
missioner Hall, at Binghamton, n: Y, result as
yet unknown. At the hearing before Commits
stOner Hall at BinghamtOn, N. Y, on the 9th
inst, Mills and Laidaw were held in s., 1000 bail
trial September 90 next at BuIalO, n. Y. The Bu-
reau OF Pensions has already reached nearly all
the money.
Immediately after Patterson received his pen
sion money he was declared lunatic by the local
authorities at Elmira, and a guardian was ap-
pointed The guardian, however did not come
Into possession OF any Of the money. The investi-
cation into the merits OF the claim Is proceeding
as rapidly as possible. and the Commissioner has
hopes that its status will be known In a few days
and all the conSpirators placed before the bar OF
justice.
Sunday Inspection i'm the Army.
DR.. SUNDERLAND RESIGNS FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN
COMMITTEE-THE CHANGE IN REGULATIONS ASKED.